26/02/2019
ACCOUNT OF EVENTS IN NIGERIA
Nigeria’s Muhammadu Buhari extends lead in presidential election count
The incumbent has gained 56 per cent of the total so far in vote marred by accusations of irregularities
Supporters of President Muhammadu Buhari celebrate the announcement of results favoring his All Progressives Congress (APC) party in their state, anticipating victory, in Kano, northern Nigeria Monday,
• Nigeria elections observers warned of fraud ahead of Saturday's vote
• Nigeria’s president threatened violence against ‘thugs’ ahead of elections
• Nigeria’s election delay left far-travelled voters without chance to cast
ballot
Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari looks on course to be re-elected for another four-year term after surging into a substantial lead in early election results the main opposition party has alleged were marred by irregularities.
Mr Buhari had gained 56 per cent of the total vote with results from 13 states and the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja announced by the Independent National Electoral Committee (INEC), Nigeria’s electoral umpire, by noon on Tuesday.
Atiku Abubakar, the candidate of the main opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP), had amassed 41 per cent of the total votes counted thus far.
Nigeria’s presidential elections pit Mr Buhari against Mr Atiku, two Muslim septuagenarians from the country’s northern region, and 70-odd other candidates from small political parties.
A final tally is expected on anytime from now.
To be declared winner, a candidate must obtain the majority of the ballot and more than 25 per cent of the vote in at least 24 of Nigeria’s 36 states.
A runoff will hold if neither of the candidates gain the majority of the vote.
With official results yet to be declared in six of eight northern states that have voted for Mr Buhari in every election since 2003 and have the highest number of registered voters, his re-election looks all but certain, according to StanlEY...One of the political analyst...
